Easttown barn demolition nears reality

The reducing-to-ruin of a refurbished early-1800s barn in Devon is one step closer following Wednesday’s Easttown Planning Commission meeting.

The commission agreed to recommend approval of Bentley Homes’ application for demolition to the Easttown Board of Supervisors, with consideration given to requests from the township’s Historical Commission.

For months, the Planning Commission has heard from those who hoped to save the barn on the former property of Angelo and Rose Rossi at 222 Waterloo Road, which Bentley CEO Tom Bentley wants to turn into a 10-acre subdivision. That continued Wednesday night.

Donald Clarke, a longtime attorney and Berkley Road resident since 1963, spoke on behalf of himself and two other neighboring families who wanted the entire barn preserved. Clarke asked for the process to begin anew, while questioning two parts of Bentley’s original development application, which Clarke said was “defective on its face.”

Mark Stanish, who assumed the commission’s chairmanship from R. Mitchell Shiles at the beginning of the meeting, said township solicitor Kristin Camp’s examination revealed no irregularities.

“As a Planning Commission we rely on our council to advise us, and she’s advised us that (Bentley) has done all of the things that have been required,” Stanish said.

Bentley again answered questions regarding the possibility of someone purchasing the barn to make it a residence.

“The footprint is 3,600 square feet, so the lot would have to be two acres instead of one, and lots in Easttown are expensive,” Bentley said. “It ends up being a $3.8 million barn if it was fixed up into a house.”

Neighboring resident Carl Gersbach, who was at the meeting to discuss his own proposed two-lot subdivision, said the time to save the whole barn has long since passed.

“For people to think this property wasn’t going to be developed, particularly when the Rossis were gone, is crazy,” Gersbach said. “Maybe if people wanted to preserve this barn, they should’ve done it when the Rossis were alive, not now. I am not in favor of preserving this barn, and I think what Mr. Bentley is planning will be a benefit to the community.”

Last month, the Easttown Historical Commission voted 3-2 to accept the barn’s reduction to a ruin “with great reservation.” Bentley agreed to place a designation marker near the ruin, with full documentation filed with the township.

On Wednesday, Historical Commission Chairperson Anna Sicalides asked that an architectural historian and structural engineer be part of process. That request will be considered by the Board of Supervisors, along with Bentley’s demolition application.

Bentley said his interest in doing the ruin correctly matches the preservationists.’

“I have a vested interest in the ruin looking nice, because I’m going to be building a house right in front of it,” Bentley said.